'The Long Memory' is one of those films that intrigued me on paper. It is very much my kind of film, with it fitting under one of my favourite film genres. The story was very much familiar territory but still had good potential. The title was appetising and there is a good deal of talent involved, one of the most interesting things being seeing an amiable actor like John Mills in a very different and more intense role, well at the time of his career it was, for him.
While not my definition of a great film as such, 'The Long Memory' deserves to be better known and is worth watching. If you are a Mills fan but haven't come across this film yet, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised by his performance here. Despite having my reservations, my opinion leans towards the generally positive reviews here from those remembering it fondly than the not as favourable critical reception it got at the time.
Its story is familiar ground as has been said and too often the predictability works against the film, it did at times get excessive and a large part of me wanted more suspense and surprises in the middle act. After a promising build up, the climax was a little contrived and rushed.
Elizabeth Sellars and John McCallum are too restrained in their roles, while Sellars came over as too detached it was McCallum who fared worse. Lowther is also the film's most frustrating character in my view, with the film going well over the top on his cluelessness to the point of incompetence which makes McCallum look permanently bewildered.
Visually though, 'The Long Memory' looks great with the gritty atmosphere nailed. As stylish and suitably gritty the photography is, what is even better is the use of locations. Very cleverly done and captures the murkiness of what it was like in London's marshlands to truly atmospheric and authentic effect. The score by William Alwyn is hauntingly moody (Alwyn was always good at that) and the film is competently directed, especially towards the end where the tension mounts up.
Script is intelligent and taut enough and while the story is not perfectly done it is compelling and keeps one on their toes on the most part. Mills acquits himself more than adequately, in no way too lightweight for this more intense role despite not being sure when first hearing of it through my godparents as to whether he would be well suited or miscast. In support, the best faring are sinister John Chandos and John Slater.
On the whole, worth watching. 7/10
While not my definition of a great film as such, 'The Long Memory' deserves to be better known and is worth watching. If you are a Mills fan but haven't come across this film yet, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised by his performance here. Despite having my reservations, my opinion leans towards the generally positive reviews here from those remembering it fondly than the not as favourable critical reception it got at the time.
Its story is familiar ground as has been said and too often the predictability works against the film, it did at times get excessive and a large part of me wanted more suspense and surprises in the middle act. After a promising build up, the climax was a little contrived and rushed.
Elizabeth Sellars and John McCallum are too restrained in their roles, while Sellars came over as too detached it was McCallum who fared worse. Lowther is also the film's most frustrating character in my view, with the film going well over the top on his cluelessness to the point of incompetence which makes McCallum look permanently bewildered.
Visually though, 'The Long Memory' looks great with the gritty atmosphere nailed. As stylish and suitably gritty the photography is, what is even better is the use of locations. Very cleverly done and captures the murkiness of what it was like in London's marshlands to truly atmospheric and authentic effect. The score by William Alwyn is hauntingly moody (Alwyn was always good at that) and the film is competently directed, especially towards the end where the tension mounts up.
Script is intelligent and taut enough and while the story is not perfectly done it is compelling and keeps one on their toes on the most part. Mills acquits himself more than adequately, in no way too lightweight for this more intense role despite not being sure when first hearing of it through my godparents as to whether he would be well suited or miscast. In support, the best faring are sinister John Chandos and John Slater.
On the whole, worth watching. 7/10